Loperamide is also used for recurring or longer lasting diarrhoea from bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and short bowel syndrome. farting (wind) – avoid foods that cause wind like lentils, beans and onions. It might also help to eat smaller and more frequent meals, eat and drink slowly, and exercise regularly. There are products you can buy from a pharmacy to help with wind. Loperamide can be bought mixed with simeticone, a medicine for wind. Liquid: this comes with a measuring cup, plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure the right dose. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount of medicine. Dosage and strength

This medicine contains less than 0.00003 mg of alcohol (ethanol) in each tablet. The small amount of alcohol in this capsules or tablets: take 2 capsules or tablets, taken immediately. Then take 1 capsule or tablet after each runny poo. If your doctor prescribes loperamide for long-lasting diarrhoea, they will tell you how much to take. The usual starting dose is:

The tablets contain loperamide hydrochloride, a substance that helps reduce diarrhoea by slowing down an overactive bowel. This allows water and salts that are usually lost in diarrhoea to be absorbed by the body. Acute and chronic studies on loperamide showed no specific toxicity. Results of in vivo and in vitro studies carried out indicated that loperamide is not genotoxic. In reproduction studies, very high doses (40 mg/kg/day – 20 times the maximum human use level (MHUL)), based on body surface area dose comparison (mg/m 2), loperamide impaired fertility and fetal survival in association with maternal toxicity in rats. Lower doses (≥ 10mg/kg/day – 5 times MHUL) revealed no effects on maternal or fetal health and did not affect peri- and post-natal development. If any of the following now apply, do not use the product without first consulting your doctor, even if you know you have IBS: Caution is needed in patients with a history of drug abuse. Abuse and misuse of loperamide, has been described (see section 4.9). Loperamide is an opioid with low bioavailability and limited potential to penetrate the blood brain barrier at therapeutic doses. However, addiction is observed with opioids as a class.

Your doctor will adjust your dose according to your symptoms and how well loperamide is working, up to a maximum of:

8. Cautions with other medicines

Mint flavour contains traces of sulphites. This may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.

Symptomatic treatment of acute episodes of diarrhoea associated with irritable bowel syndrome in adults aged 18 years and over a: Inclusion of this term is based on post-marketing reports for loperamide HCl. As the process for determining post marketing ADRs did not differentiate between chronic and acute indications or adults and children, the frequency is estimated from all clinical trials with loperamide HCl (acute and chronic), including trials in children ≤ 12 years (N=3683).The concomitant administration of loperamide (16 mg single dose) and ketoconazole, an inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, resulted in a 5-fold increase in loperamide plasma concentrations. This increase was not associated with increased pharmacodynamic effects as measured by pupillometry. Imodium Instant Melts contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause allergic reactions. Imodium Instants must be used with caution in patients with renal or hepatic impairment, or in patients who are pregnant or breast-feeding, because of the risk of accumulation and toxicity (metabolic acidosis). Since persistent diarrhoea can be an indicator of potentially more serious conditions, Imodium Instant Melts should not be used for prolonged periods until the underlying cause of the diarrhoea has been investigated.

If you forget to take a dose, take a dose after the next loose stool (bowel movement). Do not take a double dose. 4 possible side effects

Life style and well being tips

If you notice any of the above, stop using the medicine and talk to a doctor. Other effects that may occur Your body can lose large amounts of fluids and salts when you have diarrhoea. You need to replace the fluid by drinking more liquid than usual. Ask your pharmacist about rehydration therapy to replace lost salts. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. Age 12 to 17 years with IBS or long-lasting diarrhoea – follow the instructions from their doctor. This is given on prescription only.